Sergio's Sandpit

At the corner of Virginia Tech’s practice football facility, there is a big sandpit. It is Sergio’s Sandpit.

While his teammates run sprints at the end of each practices, guard Sergio Render walks over to the pit and runs in the sand. The reason for doing it is to help protect Render’s knees from the pounding he takes while running on the grass.

Render had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee after the 2006 season. As a result, the team’s trainers thought it best he run in the sandpit.

Toward the end of practice, Render breaks off from the team and heads to the pit. He removes his helmet, shoulder pads and cleats and then splashes around in the sand. At 6 feet 3 and 313 pounds and with his dreadlocks flopping, Render is an interesting sight to see frolicking in the sand.

But Render was quick to remind that is not fun. “It’s very tiring,” he said.